Published: Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 8:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 8:02 p.m.

Nate Irving says he always needs to be ready.

That mentality has become important as he enters his third year in the NFL.

Irving, a former Wallace-Rose Hill and North Carolina State star, will have the chance to start at linebacker this year for the Denver Broncos, who kick off the season Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Irving played 34 regular-season and playoff games in his first two seasons, but most of his snaps came on special teams.

When camp started in July, the coaches talked of Irving having a shot to start at middle linebacker, but a six-game suspension for outside linebacker Von Miller has opened the door at the strongside spot.

"It's been a set of unfortunate circumstances for our team, but we just need to pick up and move on," Irving said. "Whatever they need me to do, I'll do."

Irving has shifted between middle and outside linebacker a few times since being a third-round draft pick of the Broncos in 2011. He was picked as a middle linebacker, shifted to the outside and played behind Miller in 2012. Irving was set to shift back inside this year, but the suspension of Miller – one of the league's best pass rushers who has 30 sacks in his first two seasons – changed those plans.

"It's mostly angles, especially when chasing down blockers," Irving said of the differences between linebacker spots. "There are definitely some similarities. (The move) has been going good. I have to be always ready. (Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio) said if anything happens, he should be able to play any of us in either spot."

Del Rio had praise for Irving during a training camp news conference.

"He's a good young player," Del Rio said. "He's competing hard. He's a heavy-handed guy. He's bright. He's got plenty of athletic ability. He's having a solid camp, and we'll see how it goes."

The Broncos will turn to Irving and nine-year veteran Shaun Phillips to fill Miller's absence. Irving recorded 13 tackles and blocked a punt for Denver in 2012. Phillips came to the Broncos as a free agent after playing nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, where he compiled 69.5 sacks. Irving said Phillips does a great job of communicating with teammates on the field.

"He's really good at calling out plays and knowing what the offensive line is doing," Irving said. "He's really good at tipping everyone off to what the offense is doing, and that's really important."

The Broncos were a playoff team in 2012 at 13-3 but lost their divisional round game against Baltimore, the eventual Super Bowl champion. The Ravens needed a 70-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds in the fourth quarter to tie the game and won in overtime.

Irving said it was tough to watch the Ravens win the Super Bowl after coming so close to beating them, but that's in the past. After spending an off-season mostly working out with friends and teammates in Arizona, Irving said he is focused on the opportunity in front of him.

"I've been given a great opportunity," Irving said. "But that doesn't mean anything if you don't do something with it."

<p>Nate Irving says he always needs to be ready.</p><p>That mentality has become important as he enters his third year in the NFL.</p><p>Irving, a former Wallace-Rose Hill and North Carolina State star, will have the chance to start at linebacker this year for the Denver Broncos, who kick off the season Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Irving played 34 regular-season and playoff games in his first two seasons, but most of his snaps came on special teams. </p><p>When camp started in July, the coaches talked of Irving having a shot to start at middle linebacker, but a six-game suspension for outside linebacker Von Miller has opened the door at the strongside spot.</p><p>"It's been a set of unfortunate circumstances for our team, but we just need to pick up and move on," Irving said. "Whatever they need me to do, I'll do."</p><p>Irving has shifted between middle and outside linebacker a few times since being a third-round draft pick of the Broncos in 2011. He was picked as a middle linebacker, shifted to the outside and played behind Miller in 2012. Irving was set to shift back inside this year, but the suspension of Miller – one of the league's best pass rushers who has 30 sacks in his first two seasons – changed those plans.</p><p>"It's mostly angles, especially when chasing down blockers," Irving said of the differences between linebacker spots. "There are definitely some similarities. (The move) has been going good. I have to be always ready. (Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio) said if anything happens, he should be able to play any of us in either spot."</p><p>Del Rio had praise for Irving during a training camp news conference.</p><p>"He's a good young player," Del Rio said. "He's competing hard. He's a heavy-handed guy. He's bright. He's got plenty of athletic ability. He's having a solid camp, and we'll see how it goes."</p><p>The Broncos will turn to Irving and nine-year veteran Shaun Phillips to fill Miller's absence. Irving recorded 13 tackles and blocked a punt for Denver in 2012. Phillips came to the Broncos as a free agent after playing nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, where he compiled 69.5 sacks. Irving said Phillips does a great job of communicating with teammates on the field.</p><p>"He's really good at calling out plays and knowing what the offensive line is doing," Irving said. "He's really good at tipping everyone off to what the offense is doing, and that's really important."</p><p>The Broncos were a playoff team in 2012 at 13-3 but lost their divisional round game against Baltimore, the eventual Super Bowl champion. The Ravens needed a 70-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds in the fourth quarter to tie the game and won in overtime.</p><p>Irving said it was tough to watch the Ravens win the Super Bowl after coming so close to beating them, but that's in the past. After spending an off-season mostly working out with friends and teammates in Arizona, Irving said he is focused on the opportunity in front of him.</p><p>"I've been given a great opportunity," Irving said. "But that doesn't mean anything if you don't do something with it."</p><p><i></p><p>Vince Nairn: 343-2262</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @starnewssports</i></p>